Patents Assigned to Arctic Cat, Inc.
  • Off-highway recreational vehicle
    Patent number: 9327587
    Abstract: A recreational off-highway vehicle includes side-by-side passenger and driver seats held within a chassis that is approximately 50 inches wide. The seats sit low in the chassis and are covered by a roll cage. Grab handles are positioned on the sides of the passenger seat. Select large round tubing protects the vehicle, while rectangular tubing frames the portions of the vehicle beneath body panels. The vehicle is powered by an engine rearward of the seats that is connected to a transaxle. The engine and transaxle are isolation mounted together with a portion of the air intake assembly. The vehicle is suited for rough terrain travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Spindler, Mark Esala, Derek Sorenson, Peter Schoenecker, Brian Eck, Andrew Hulstein, Scott Mazour, John Seal, Ryan Hughes, Craig Kennedy
  • Snowmobile skid frame assembly
    Patent number: 9321509
    Abstract: A skid frame for a snowmobile is disclosed including a generally planar skid surface extending between front and rear idler wheels. The front and rear idler wheel are offset from one another and define a longitudinal direction. A track encircles the skid frame having the skid surface positioned over a center of the track such that a major longitudinally extending portion of the track that is coextensive with the skid surface has first and second unsupported lateral portions on either side of the skid surface. The first and second unsupported lateral portions extend in the horizontal direction at least 25 percent of a width of the track. A suspension arm member may mount the skid rail and include mount portions for mounting to a tunnel and spanning a distance at least twice the width of the longitudinal beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Beavis
  • Vehicle speed limiter via gauge interface
    Patent number: 9286264
    Abstract: An electronic control unit (“ECU”) limiter is disclosed. The electronic control unit may be configured to receive a user-specified vehicle limit, such as a speed limit, from an input device, such as a gauge interface of the vehicle or a diagnostic tool. The electronic control unit is further configured to enforce the received vehicle limit, without a need to reprogram (e.g., erase and rewrite) vehicle engine control data stored by the electronic control unit, such as lookup tables or maps that are used to determine the operational parameters (e.g., ignition timing, throttle) based on sensor inputs (e.g., engine revolutions per minute, engine temperature).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Johnson, Darrel Janisch
  • Vehicle configuration
    Patent number: 9180801
    Abstract: A vehicle configuration wherein the center of mass of the vehicle is approximately superimposed upon the passenger and driver centers of mass when seated within the vehicle. An occupant's center of mass can be approximated using a standard center of mass position approximation, or a combination of any number of standard center of mass position approximations. The vehicle's center of mass can be approximately superimposed upon the occupant's center of mass in at least the longitudinal and vertical directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: ARCTIC CAT INC.
    Inventors: Craig R. Kennedy, Ryan J. Hughes
  • Door for recreational off-highway vehicle
    Patent number: 9061569
    Abstract: A door and an integrated safety net system for a recreational vehicle having a chassis with a step-through door opening. The door includes a forward end and a rearward end, and a hinge coupled between the rearward end of the door and the chassis of the vehicle. A door panel or upper and lower safety nets are coupled to the door frame forward of the hinge and coupled to the chassis of the vehicle on or rearward of the rearward side of the door opening. The safety net and the door are collectively and cooperatively movable as the rear-hinged door moves to the open position or closed position. The door includes a latch at the forward end of the door to provide one operational step to release or secure the door and the integrated safety nets to the chassis upon ingress or egress of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Spindler, Mark Esala
  • Wheel hub nut retainer plate
    Patent number: 8950824
    Abstract: A retainer plate for preventing or at least mitigating loosening of an axle nut of a vehicle. The retainer plate comprises a generally flat section of rigid material that couples to an axle nut in a non-rotatable fashion and to a portion of the wheel to maintain the axle nut in tight threaded engagement with the axle. The retainer plate can have a central bore that non-rotatably engages the axle nut and a radially outward feature that engages the wheel to prevent the axle nut from loosening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Eck, Reid Anderson
  • Electronic control unit limiter with coded release
    Patent number: 8818570
    Abstract: An electronic control unit (“ECU”) limiter is disclosed. The ECU can include a vehicle-mounted component configured to measure and interact with components of the vehicle such as the engine, the transmission, etc, and a remote component configured to communicate with the vehicle-mounted component and vice versa. The vehicle-mounted component can be programmed to permit the vehicle to operate substantially without limitation until a certain parameter threshold is met, such as the engine usage reaching a certain predetermined quantity. The vehicle-mounted component can limit the engine in a variety of ways when the parameter threshold is met. The remote component can receive information from the vehicle-mounted component regarding the monitored parameters and the limitations caused by the vehicle-mounted component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Johnson, Darrel Janisch
  • Fan for drive clutch
    Patent number: 8776930
    Abstract: A fan for a drive clutch includes a disk having several vanes that can attach to a drive clutch to direct air toward the clutch to cool the clutch and belt of a CVT transmission. The disk can be injection-molded or otherwise formed and can be bolted onto a clutch drive with the vanes facing toward the clutch drive. An inward-facing surface can be concave to direct air toward the clutch. The disk can attach to the clutch drive using preexisting bolts of the clutch drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Tadych, Dustin Keller
  • Idler wheel assembly for snowmobile
    Patent number: 8733490
    Abstract: An idler wheel assembly, for example a rear idler wheel assembly, for a snowmobile and includes at least one cross-member that permits load transfer and possible load damping as between a pair of rear idler wheels. The cross-member may be configured to transfer lateral loads, bending loads and other types of loads between the idler wheels. The cross-member is arranged between the wheels in such a manner that it is free to rotate with the idler wheels without interference to or from other structure of a skid frame assembly of the snowmobile. In one embodiment, each idler wheel includes a cross-member that extends inward to connect to the other wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Beavis, Jonathon Edwards, Ken Fredrickson, Ronald Bergman
  • Compact steering mechanism
    Patent number: 8708358
    Abstract: A compact steering mechanism for steering a vehicle having a steering input being a pinion shaft coupled to a pinion meshing with a rack, and a steering output member coupled to the rack. The pinion is positioned at a middle portion of the rack and the output member is positioned between opposing ends of a rack. The mechanism includes a compact steering housing supporting the pinion shaft and containing the rack-and-pinion. The pinion and pinion shaft have a center axis parallel to an axis of the output member. The output member, being a steering pin and rack carrier, a gear, or a flange, is coupled to left and right tie rod assemblies and wheels for steering the vehicle to improve handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Harris, Robert Rauch, John Seal
  • WHEEL HUB NUT RETAINER PLATE
    Publication number: 20140062173
    Abstract: A retainer plate for preventing or at least mitigating loosening of an axle nut of a vehicle. The retainer plate comprises a generally flat section of rigid material that couples to an axle nut in a non-rotatable fashion and to a portion of the wheel to maintain the axle nut in tight threaded engagement with the axle. The retainer plate can have a central bore that non-rotatably engages the axle nut and a radially outward feature that engages the wheel to prevent the axle nut from loosening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Eck, Reid Anderson
  • VEHICLE CONFIGURATION
    Publication number: 20130319784
    Abstract: A vehicle configuration wherein the center of mass of the vehicle is approximately superimposed upon the passenger and driver centers of mass when seated within the vehicle. An occupant's center of mass can be approximated using a standard center of mass position approximation, or a combination of any number of standard center of mass position approximations. The vehicle's center of mass can be approximately superimposed upon the occupant's center of mass in at least the longitudinal and vertical directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Craig R. Kennedy, Ryan J. Hughes
  • ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT LIMITER WITH CODED RELEASE
    Publication number: 20130289799
    Abstract: An electronic control unit (“ECU”) limiter is disclosed. The ECU can include a vehicle-mounted component configured to measure and interact with components of the vehicle such as the engine, the transmission, etc, and a remote component configured to communicate with the vehicle-mounted component and vice versa. The vehicle-mounted component can be programmed to permit the vehicle to operate substantially without limitation until a certain parameter threshold is met, such as the engine usage reaching a certain predetermined quantity. The vehicle-mounted component can limit the engine in a variety of ways when the parameter threshold is met. The remote component can receive information from the vehicle-mounted component regarding the monitored parameters and the limitations caused by the vehicle-mounted component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Johnson, Darrel Janisch
  • COMPACT STEERING MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20130277935
    Abstract: A compact steering mechanism for steering a vehicle having a steering input being a pinion shaft coupled to a pinion meshing with a rack, and a steering output member coupled to the rack. The pinion is positioned at a middle portion of the rack and the output member is positioned between opposing ends of a rack. The mechanism includes a compact steering housing supporting the pinion shaft and containing the rack-and-pinion. The pinion and pinion shaft have a center axis parallel to an axis of the output member. The output member, being a steering pin and rack carrier, a gear, or a flange, is coupled to left and right tie rod assemblies and wheels for steering the vehicle to improve handling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Harris, Robert Rauch, John Seal
  • SUSPENSION FOR VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20130277937
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes two trailing arms and three lateral links to maintain a wheel in or nearly in a vertical position throughout a relatively large travel distance. The trailing arms can be an upper and a lower trailing arm that form a linkage to limit the caster movement of the wheel throughout the travel distance. The three lateral links form two linkages that maintain proper orientation of the wheel: a first linkage to limit the camber movement of the wheel, and a second linkage to limit the tracking, or toe, movement of the wheel. The trailing arms and lateral links provide a relatively large travel distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin Keller, John Seal
  • FAN FOR DRIVE CLUTCH
    Publication number: 20130220766
    Abstract: A fan for a drive clutch includes a disk having several vanes that can attach to a drive clutch to direct air toward the clutch to cool the clutch and belt of a CVT transmission. The disk can be injection-molded or otherwise formed and can be bolted onto a clutch drive with the vanes facing toward the clutch drive. An inward-facing surface can be concave to direct air toward the clutch. The disk can attach to the clutch drive using preexisting bolts of the clutch drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Tadych, Dustin Keller
  • IDLER WHEEL ASSEMBLY FOR SNOWMOBILE
    Publication number: 20130133967
    Abstract: An idler wheel assembly, for example a rear idler wheel assembly, for a snowmobile and includes at least one cross-member that permits load transfer and possible load damping as between a pair of rear idler wheels. The cross-member may be configured to transfer lateral loads, bending loads and other types of loads between the idler wheels. The cross-member is arranged between the wheels in such a manner that it is free to rotate with the idler wheels without interference to or from other structure of a skid frame assembly of the snowmobile. In one embodiment, each idler wheel includes a cross-member that extends inward to connect to the other wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Beavis, Johnathon Edwards, Ken Fredrickson, Ronald Bergman
  • Adjustable riser assembly
    Patent number: 8402861
    Abstract: A vehicle, such as a snowmobile, includes a handlebar assembly for steering the vehicle. The handlebar assembly includes a riser pivotally secured to a steering shaft and handlebars pivotally secured to the riser. A clamp selectively engages both handlebars and steering shaft to fix the position of the riser relative to the handlebars and steering shaft. The clamp includes upper and lower clamps selectively drawn toward one another by a locking member embodied as a cam-lock including a rod having a cam eccentrically and pivotally connected to one end and an enlargement secured to the opposite end. A lever pivots the cam to shorten or lengthen the distance between a lower surface of the cam and the enlargement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventor: Jesse W. Olson
  • Biased plunge pin assembly
    Patent number: 8388457
    Abstract: A vehicle, such as off road vehicle, includes a plunge pin assembly located in a flexible joint, which maybe actuated without tools to decouple and thus remove a driven system from a driving system. The plunge pin assembly includes a plunge pin biased to an installed position such that a clip of the plunge pin assembly retains the driven system to the driving system during operation of a vehicle. The clip (e.g., circlip, snap ring, coil spring or crest wave spring) is circumferentially contractable and expandable. A transfer element cooperates with tapered and recessed contours of the plunge pin to permit the aforementioned actuation of the clip. Movement of the transfer pin along with contraction of the clip allows the driven system to be decoupled from the driving system. The plunge pin may include a head portion positioned at a desired distance from a drive axle of the driven system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventor: Dustin D. Keller
  • Adjustable steering assembly
    Patent number: 8381611
    Abstract: A vehicle, such as an all-terrain or utility-terrain vehicle, includes a telescoping, adjustable, steering assembly. The steering assembly includes a steering device that is coupled to the steering assembly, which can be adjusted to increase or decrease the height of the steering device. The steering assembly may include a detent member, a steering post, a yoke, a collar, and a biasing member. The steering post includes axially spaced arcuate grooves where a detent member is seated and held in place with a collar. The collar includes a tapered internal surface for applying lateral pressure to the detent member to lock the yoke in place relative to the steering post. Without the use of tools, the collar may be moved to release the lateral pressure on the detent member, which in turn permits the yoke to be moved relative to the steering post—resulting in adjustment of the steering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Schindler, Andrew Beavis